Material applicator for printing machines



June 15, 1948.

E. J. JANKE MATERIAL APPLICATOR'FOR PRINTING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 16, 1945 INVENTOR. ton/A20 1' JAIME nrranuevf e 1948- E. J. JANKE MATERIAL APPLICATOR FOR PRINTING MACHINES I 3- Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 16, 1945 INVENTOR. fowneo JTJANKE BY Patented June 15 1948 UNITED STATES PATENTTOFFI'CE MATERIAL APPLICATOR FOR PRINTING MACHINES Edward J. Janke, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application February 16, 194-5, Serial No. 578,288

11 Claims.

In certain types of planograp'hic printing it is important to give a preliminary treatment to 'the printing plate by the application of a suitable solution before beginning the normal operation of printing by the alternate application of repellent and ink. This solution for preliminary treatment is frequently a strong repellent and has been usually applied by wiping the plate manually. It is the object of this invention to provide a very simple'an'cl effective mechanism adapted to be mounted on the printing machine and apply such treating solution'to'th'e master sheet after it has been mounted on the drum without requiring the operator to handle the solution itself. This saves time and avoids any contact of the operators hands with the solution and results in a more uniform application.

Occasionally during the printing operation conditions arise where it is desirable to apply a solution to the plate independently of the normal repellent and my invention provides means which readily accomplish this Whenever desired.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide suitable container fortreating solution, a storage member therein holding such solution in a dispersed condition in a yielding member and a manually shiftable absorbent member adapted to be caused to contact with the storage member in the container or with the master sheet on the printing drum as desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide the absorbent transfer device in a form which is adapted to effect a contact of a considerable area with the absorbent member in the trough for liquid, and also to obtain'a considerable contact with the master sheet without danger of interfering with the image thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide the transfer member in such form that a choice of surfaces is available for contact with the storage member or the master sheet, so that if any surfaces become encrusted with the substances carriedby the solution, other surfaces may be readily substituted. Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide the manually operable transfer member in a form which may be readily removed for cleaning or storage.

' A preferred embodiment "of my invention accomplishing the'above outlined objects is illustrated in the drawings hereof and hereinafter more fully described. I

' In the drawings, Fig. I is a plan of my material applicator mounted in conjunction with a drum carrying a master sheet; Fig. 2'i's'a sectional elevation of the applicator and master drum, the

plane of the section being indicated by the line 2-2 onFig. 1; Fig. 3 is a, vertical section through the applicator and'a portion of the master drum, in a plane indicated by the line 33' on Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through a portion of the applicator, as indicated by the line 4-4 on Fig 1; Fig. 5'is a normally separated perspective of different parts of the applicator.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, l and 'II indicate a pair of vertical parallel frame plates in which is mounted a shaft I2 carrying the master drum [3. The master sheet I is tensioned about a portion of the drum in any convenient manner. My applicator is mounted between the same frame plates l0 and H and is adapted to coact with the master sheet on the drum, as about to be explained. I

In-each of the views, indicates a trough-like member which is adapted to carry the treating solution and "forms the frame of the applicator. This trough-like'member has a fiat bottom 21, with vertical end walls 22 and 23. There-is a front Wall 24 of low height rising from the front edge of the bottom and extending from end wall to end wall, and there is a rear wall 25 of considerably greater height joining the bottom and the end walls. The end walls of the trough-like memher are provided With extensions 26 and 21 adapted to abut the inner faces of the frame plates 10 and II to which they are secured by cap screws 28 passing through the frame plates and threaded into the extensions.

Mounted in the trough 2!! and engaging the bottom and rear thereof is a prismatic shaped blockilll of absorbent material preferably similar to sponge rubber. This block has a bottom surface and rear surface at right angles to each other adapted to snugly engage the bottom and rear wall of the trough. The upper surface of the block 30 is preferably formed at an acute angle to the base. The block is held in place in the trough by a clamping plate which is removably mounted on the top of the rear wall of the trough. The rear wall is provided near its upper end with a stiffening rib 29 and the top surfaces of the wall and rib are preferably inclined in a 'direction to be in substantial alignment with the top of the absorbent block 30. Th plate 35 is shown as held in 'place by screws 36 passing through it into the top of the trough. The clamping plate 35 is formed with a downturned front flange '31 which becomes embedded in the yielding absorbent block 30 when the plate is clamped in place, thus effectively holding the absorbent block imposition.

For ready removal of the plate 35, I prefer to make the openings in the plate through which the screws extend in the form of slots 38 leading to the outer edge of the plate as shown in Fig. 1. Accordingly, a mere loosening of the screws 36, without their entire removal, allows the plate 31 to be removed, thus freeing the absorbent block.

The manually movable member which transfers liquid from the absorbent block 30 to the master sheet I comprises manually operable member mounted in the applicator frame so as to swing therein, this swinging member carrying a polygonal body 40 which is embraced by an absorbent coverin 4|. The polygonal body is preferably of wood, made in hexagon form. The absorbent covering is felt or molleton extending completely around the body with the ends of the covering overlapping each other, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the overlapping regions being secured to the body by nails or screws 42.

The covered body described is carried by an extensible frame pivoted to the applicator end Walls. This frame, as shown, comprises a bar '50 extending above the covered body parallel therewith and a pair of end members 5! and 52 adjustably carried by the bar and extending downwardly across the ends of the covered body and connected thereto. As shown, the bar 50 is a downwardly facing channel, and members 5| and 52, which are identical with each other, are clips each having two arms at right angles to each other, the upper arm 53 lying between the flanges of the channel bar 50 and adjustably secured to that bar by a thumb screw 55 passing through a slot '56 in the bar.

The downward arms 51 of the end clips carry outwardly extending studs 58 removably occupying upwardly opening slots 59 in the end walls of the applicator frame, whereby the device is pivoted to such frame, The end arms 51 of the end clips carry inwardly extending studs 60 adapted to engage axial openings 43 in the covered body. These end arms also carry locking studs 6| which may engage any one of a number of openings 44 in the end of the body.

The rocking frame 50 is normally retained on the applicator frame by a pair of spring plates carried by the applicator frame but may be freely lifted out of the applicator frame when these plates are manually pressed outward. After removal the loosening of the thumb screws 55 allows the spreading of the end clips. 5| to withdraw the studs 60 and 6| from the coveredbody 40, as indicated in Fig. 5. Then if desired the body may be remounted with the studs 6| of the two end clips engagin other openings 44 of the body, thus holding it in another position with reference to the rocking frame.

I have shown as many openings 44 as there are sides to the polygonal body 40, which is a simple way in providing properly positioned openings. However, it is undesirable to have that face of the hexagonal body Where the covering ends overlap each other pressed to either the absorbent block or the master sheet, and if it be desired to prevent the possibility of the body being inadvertently so mounted, this may be readily effected for omitting the two openings 44 which would be active if the overlapping ends of the fabric were adjacent the block or the master sheet.

To swing the rockin frame so as to carry the covered body into contact with the absorbent block 30 or with the master sheet, as desired, I provide a handle 62 secured to the bar 50, preferably in the central region thereof and rising normally vertically. The forward face of the absorbent block 30 is formed at an angle as shown at 39 in Fig. 3, this angle being such that when the hand lever 62 is swung forwardly (into the position indicated by the broken lines A in Fig. 3) the inclined lower right hand region of the absorbent covering engages throughout that face of the covering with the face of the absorbent member. This enables liquid readily to pass by capillary action from the absorbent member to the absorbent covering. This moisture passes by capillary action about the covering itself, so that the entire covering becomes more or less saturated with this solution.

It will be seen from Fig. 3 that when the handle 62 is swung in the opposite direction, namely, into the position indicated at B in broken lines, the lower left hand face of the covered body engages the master sheet. This engagement may extend for a considerable distance from the central region of the engaging face by reason of the yielding character of that face.

To limit the possible pressure of the swinging absorbent member against the master sheet, I provide adjustable stops on the swinging frame. As shown, the bar 55 has at its opposite ends a pair of rearwardly extending arms 65, in which are mounted set screws 66 adapted to coact with stops 5? on the end members of the applicator frame. These stops 6! are shown as pins projecting inwardly from the end walls of the applicator frame. The set screws 56 which are threaded in the arms 65 and are provided with jam nuts 59, so that when accurately positioned they may be locked in place and thus furnish the desired limit for the movement of the swinging applicator into contact with the master sheet.

I provide means to hold the covered body normally in the neutral position shown in full lines in Fig. 3, where it is out of contact with either the absorbent block or the master sheet. To effect this, I provide a suitable spring plunger normally engaging a recess in the swinging frame but adapted to allow the frame to be swung in either direction by the hand lever 62. The spring-pressed plunger is shown at 10 in Fig. 4. It comprises a sleeve, which may be screwthreaded intothe end wall of the applicator, and having a cavity containing a ball H pressed toward the swinging frame by a spring in the cavity. This device, which is of well-known form, is shown as externally threaded and locked in place by an embracing jam nut 72.

I prefer to utilize the same lam nuts 12, which look the plunger housings 10, to hold the springretainer plates 15 above mentioned to the applicator frame. This frame is provided with outwardly extending pins 76 which extend through openings in the plates and prevent them from shifting.

I find it convenient to mount the pins 60 and BI on the end clips by means of having reduced shanks for the pins extending into openings in the clip, the end portions of such shank being spread to rivet the pin in place. In the case of the axial pin 60, I provide a recess in the outer end of its reduced extension, as indicated at I3 in Fig. 5, and this recess 13 forms the seat for the spring-pressed ball ll of the detent.

The spring detents described, located at each end of the applicator frame, serve to hold the transferring body normally in the neutral position shown in Fig. 3. When, however, the handie 62 is swung in either direction the springpressed ball is oammed out of the recess 13 and engages thefaoe of the clip, thus app y n a-r'esti'aihi-ng friction thereto without holding the clip in a definite position, This enables the transfer member to be left standing in engage.- ment with the absorbent'block '30 or in engagement with the master sheet as desired.

"In the operation of m device, the treating liquid is laced in the trough and the abs'orb'ent block 30 thoroughly charged therewith; Then the operator swings the lever 62 forwardly to press the face or the transfer member against the absorbent block. This pressure may be maintained either by leaving the transfer member in engagement with the block, due to the restraining friction of the spring pressed balls H or the operator may maintain his hand on the lever 62 to .obtain a greater pressure against the absorbent block. 'In either case pressure is maintained until liquid has been transferred by capillary action from the charged block to the engaging face of the transfer member, and time is allowed for such liquid to pass by capillary actionparound to other faces of the transfer member.

After the transfer member has become saturated with liquid, it is ready for use. The master sheet is simply mounteddry on the drum in ordinary manner; thereafter the hand lever 82 is drawn rearwardly into the position indicated by B in Fig. 3, and the drum given one or more rotations until the master sheet is thoroughly covered with solution. In this operation the operator simply pulls the lever 62 outwardly to the limit as determined by the setting of the stop screws 66. When the plate has been properly treated in this manner, the lever is returned to the normal vertical position.

At the end of the day, the operator may simply lift the swinging frame with the covered body out of the applicator frame, by pressing back the retaining plates 15 and wrap a dampened fabric about the absorbent covering on the body, time maintaining it in proper condition until the next day. If the faces in use become encrusted with substances from the applied solution, the operator simply lifts out the swinging frame, loosens the. set screws 55, thus freeing the covered body, and rte-positions it with other faces in position to engage the absorbent block for master sheet, or having freed the covered body he may wash it to remove any encrustation or dirt. 4

in re-mounting the swinging ductor frame the outwardly inclined upper ends 71 of the retainer plates 15 provide means which are automatically pressed outward by the engagement therewith of the pivot pins 58. Likewise, the inclined ends of the end members SI of the swinging frame form cams 5a to press back the detent balls ll. Accordingly, the swinging frame may be readily rel-mounted. merely by a downwardly shoving action.

My applicator is well adapted for use in planographic systems employing the application of repellent and ink to the master sheet, such, for instance, as shown in Patent No. 2,165,234 of F. E. Curtis, issued July 11, 1939, to my assignee, Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation. That patent has an inking form roll supplied. by a movable ductor from an ink fountain and has a repellent form roll supplied by a movable ductor from a fountain roll in a repellent trough. These parts are briefly indicated in broken lines in Fig. 2, wherein 80 indicates the ink form roll and 8| its supplying ductor, and 85 indicates the repellent 6 form roll and 86 its -supplying doctor. My mann ally operable applicator does not interfere in any manner with the normal operation by the repellent systems but is available to give a preliminary or special treatment to the master sheet on the drum.

' My preliminary treating device is especially desirable for short runs, where only a few imprints are made, such as happens for instance, in se called systems work, where the copy sheets have forms or printed matter thereon to be filled in or supplemented by images or matter on the master sheets, which are frequently changed.

I claim:

1. A material applicator for a drum adaptedto hold a master sheet, comprising a yielding ab sorben't block adapted to be charged with solu= tion, a non rotatable 'ductor member having a plurality of connected fiat absorbent faces at an angle toeach other, and means for swinging it between the block and a master sheet on the drum and pressing it alternately against them whereby an absorbent face of the ducto'r adapted to receive liquid from the block and convey liquid by capillary action from that face of the ductor to another face which engages the master sheet.

2. A material applicator" for a rotary drum adapted to carry a master sheet, comprising a trough to contain liquid, a stationary yielding absorbent block ihthe trough having a flat face and adapted to be char ed with solution, a doctor between the block and a master sheet on the drum, said du-etor having two absorbent flat sides at an acute angle to each other and connected by absorbent material, of such fiat sides being adapted to press against the fiat face of the block substantially throughout the length of the side, the other flat side being adapted to be pressed against the master sheet while in a position tangent thereto, and a swingable frame carrying the ductor in a fixed position relative to the frame.

3. A material applicator for a printing machine having a drum adapted to carry a master sheet embracing the drum, comprising a receptacle for liquid, an absorbent member therein, a swinging frame, a multi-faced body removably mounted in the frame, an absorbent covering for the body adapted in one region to engage said member and in another region to engage said master sheetaccording to the position of the swinging frame, and means for holding the multi-faced member in angularly different positions in the swinging frame.

4, In a material applicator for a printing machine, the combination of a trough adapted to contain liquid, a chargeable member therein, a movable frame, a polygonal body rotatively mounted in the frame but normally held against rotation, and an absorbent covering for the body having one portion adapted to engage said member and another portion adapted to engage a master sheet according to the position of said movable frame.

5. A material applicator for a printing machine comprising in combination a trough adapted to contain liquid, an absorbent yielding block stationarily mounted in the trough and having a flat front face, a swingable frame carrying a polygonal body held non-rotatably in the frame, an absorbent covering for the body, one face of which is adapted to lie against said flat face of the block in one position of the swinging frame, another face of the body being adapted to engage a master sheet in another position of the frame,

6. In a material applicator for a printing machine, the combination, with a rotatable drum adapted to carry a master sheet, of an adjacent trough adapted to contain liquid, an absorbent block in the trough, a swingable frame, a hexagonal body rotatably carried thereby and positioned between the block and a master sheet on the drum, an absorbent covering for the body, and means for holding the body immovably relative to the frame in various positions differing angu larly 60 from each other.

7. A material applicator for a printing machine comprising a trough having a bottom and an upright rear wall, a chargeable yielding absorbent block in the trough abutting the bottom and said wall, a clamping plate carried by said wall engaging the top of the block, and a swinging ductor frame carrying a polygonal body held against rotation relative to the framehaving an absorbent surface adapted in one region to engage the front of the block, another region of said covering being adapted to engage a master sheet when the ductor is swung.

8. In a material applicator, the combination of a receptacle for liquid, an absorbent member therein, and means adapted to convey liquid from the absorbent member to a master sheet comprising a pivotally mounted carrier having a bar and members at the ends thereof projecting at an angle to the bar, at least one of said members being a separate clip adjustably mounted on the bar, a polygonal body between such end members, pins on the end members axially engaging the polygonal body to hold it rotatable, and means on at least one of the end members coacting non-axially with the polygonal body to hold it in any one of a number of different angular positions, and an absorbent cover for the polygonal body.

9. In a material applicator, the combination of a receptacle for liquid, an absorbent block therein, a swingable frame comprising a longitudinal bar carrying laterally extending end members and means for pivotally supporting the bar, at least one of said end members being an angle clip, a clamping screw for said clip passing through a slot in the bar, whereby the end memr bers may be separated, projections on the end members facing each other, a body between the end members provided at each end with a number of recesses any of which may be occupied by said projections, whereby the body may be held in selected position by the projections entering the ends of the body, a fabric covering for the body, and means for swinging the frame to cause the fabric covering to engage the absorbent block.

10. In a material applicator, the combination of a receptacle for liquid having a bottom, a rear wall and upright end walls having notches, an

absorbent block stationarily mounted in the re-= ceptacle in the corner at the junction of the bottom and rear wall, a swinging frame having projecting pivot studs mounted in said notches in the end Walls of the receptacle, spring retainers carried by the end walls to coact with the studs and normally retain the winging frame pivotally mounted, said swinging frame having a longitudinal bar and inwardly projecting end portions, a body between the end portions having a plurality of faces, an absorbent covering for said body, said body having axial recesses in its ends and having a plurality of non-axial openings in at least one end, each end portion having a projecting pin adapted to engage the axial recess in the corresponding end of the bod and at least one of said end portions having another pin adapted to engage any of said plurality of openings in that end of the body to hold it in different angular positions, and means for swinging the frame in one direction to press one face of the absorbent covering into engagement with the block and in another position to press another face thereof against a master sheet.

11. A material applicator for a printing machine comprising a support, an absorbent block carried thereby, a frame adapted to be pivotally mounted, an absorbent member carried by the frame and adapted to be swung into engagement with the block on one side of the member or with a master sheet on the other side thereof, said frame comprising a longitudinal bar carrying a manually operable lever and having movable in- Wardly extending end portions, said absorbent member comprising a hexagonal body between said end portions and a fabric covering on the body, said body having axial openings in its ends and there being a set of non-axial Openings in at least one of said ends, said bar being of channel shape and the end members being angle clips each having one arm extending into the channel of said bar and adjustably held therein, the other arm of each clip extending inwardly and having an inwardly projecting stud occupying one of the axial opeings in the body and at least one of the inward arms having also an inwardly projecting stud adapted to occupy any of the nonaxial openings at that end of the body.

EDWARD J. JANKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the his of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 491,989 Donally Feb. 21, 1893 2,003,469 Ritzerfeld June 4, 1935 2,166,271 Storck July 18, 1939 2,259,174 Neal et al. Oct. 14, 1941 2,421,824 Allen et al. June 10, 1947 

